Labelle, Rev. François Xavier Antoine, the “Apostle of Colonization,” Parish Priest, St. Jerome, county of Terrebonne, Province of Quebec, was born in the village of Ste. Rose, Laval county, on the 14th November, 1834, his father being Antoine Labelle, a master shoemaker, who was married to Angélique Mayer. In 1844 he was sent to the Seminary of Ste. Thérèse, and in that institution completed a full course of classical studies. He was chiefly remarkable at college for his sound judgment and his happy and retentive memory. The consideration he enjoyed among his fellow-students caused him to be chosen president of the Grammar Society, and vice-president of the Literary Society of the college. His favorite studies were history and philosophy, and his favorite authors DeMaistre, Balmès, DeBonald, and Nicholas, chiefly the latter, whom he possessed almost by heart, and thereby gained the surname of “Nicholas,” given him by his companions. He chose the ecclesiastical state, and received the first of the minor orders in 1852, at the Seminary of Ste. Thérèse, where during three years he was a teacher, performing at the same time the humble duties of recreation room master and attendant of the convocation room. In 1855 he went to the Grand Seminary of Montreal, where he devoted himself exclusively to the study of theology. He was only twenty-two years old when he was ordained priest, in 1856, in his native village, by Mgr. Pinsonneault, eight days after the consecration of that prelate. By virtue of an edict of the Holy See the privilege of ordaining a certain number of priests before they had attained the required age, was granted to the bishop of Montreal, and Father Labelle was one of the first on whom the honor was conferred. He was appointed vicar to Father Vinet, since promoted to the dignity of prelate to the Holy See, then parish priest of the beautiful and wealthy parish of Sault-au-Récollet. The young vicar rendered great services to his curé in the difficulties the latter had to encounter in connection with the building of the Convent of the Sacred Heart. Father Labelle resided two years and a half in the parish of Sault-au-Récollet, and the parishioners expressed the livliest regret when he was sent to help the parish priest of St. Jacques-le-Mineur, Rev. Father Morin, who required rest; in this parish he resided nine months. In 1859 he was appointed parish priest of St. Antoine Abbé, a mixed parish on the border. Here he had many difficulties to smooth over as first resident curé of this parish, which had been divided in two for civil purposes by the division of the counties of Huntingdon and Chateauguay. In the midst of the greatest obstacles he had to create everything; he succeeded, however, in having the parish civilly erected and organized as a scholastic and municipal corporation, in spite of the electoral influences which prevented him from attaining his aim immediately. Religious embarrassments also existed, but thanks to the energy and tact displayed by Father Labelle, these were overcome. The impetus given to St. Antoine Abbé during the four years’ residence of the curé in that parish, placed it in the way of progress, and it is at the present day one of the most prosperous in the province of Quebec. A few years ago the humble chapel, which had been erected in the first days of the village, was demolished, and in its place stands one of the finest church edifices in the county. It was here that Rev. Father Labelle experienced a deep sorrow in the death of his father, who had followed the fortunes of his only son. In 1863 he was sent to Lacolle by his bishop, Mgr. Bourget, who had had occasion to appreciate his energy and charity. Grave difficulties had arisen, owing to the choice of a site for a new church, which had been selected outside of the village as the centre of the parish, causing division, fed by a few Protestants, who went even so far as to offer help to build the church in the village. When Father Labelle arrived to take the place of Father Bourbonnais, the situation was almost desperate; but the inhabitants of St. Antoine predicted to those of Lacolle that nothing would resist the efforts of their new pastor. And, in fact, despite the intelligence and wealth in league against him, despite the efforts of the Protestants who owned the greater portion of the territory, he succeeded through perseverance and diplomatic acuteness to make Lacolle what it is to-day, one of the finest villages in the country. When he left the parish, both Protestants and Catholics recognized his ability and admitted the justice of his previous claims. It was during his sojourn in Lacolle that the Fenian invasion of 1866 took place. The spot offered an easy access to the enemy, being at the entrance of the plain leading to St. John’s. The patriotism roused by the curé, however, in the hearts of his parishioners caused the enemies of the country to choose another point to enter Canada. “If the Fenians come here,” the pastor said, “I will place myself at your head to repel them.” In 1868 he was transferred to the curacy of St. Jerome. After having passed his first years of priesthood in the midst of struggles, it was a welcome change to the good man to settle in a quiet and well organized parish. He fell on his knees on the threshold of his presbytery to return thanks to God for his mercy. He discovered in his parishioners the spirit of union, so efficacious in the performance of noble works. The site of the village, the progress already made, the intelligence and ambition of its inhabitants, everything tended to forebode an era of happiness such as he had never before experienced. He knew the North only from geographical descriptions and hearsay; but the position of St. Jerome at the foot of the Laurentian mountains, in that broad and fertile valley of the Ottawa river, opened up to his view the perspective of a vast field for the exercise of his patriotism. He wanted to convince himself de visu of the resources of the country, and with that end in view, he organized an expedition to explore the valley to its most extreme limits, and he returned with the conviction that this vast plain should be the cradle of a numerous and vigorous population, whose industry and needs would develop an important trade. The best means to attain that end, he thought, was to build a railroad, which, reaching the Gatineau, would in after years be an immense feeder to Montreal, whilst helping to colonize that part of the province; for he had found, during his voyage, a fertile soil and a wealth of timber and minerals hardly surpassed in any other part of the Dominion. He was also thinking of the great number of willing and vigorous workers who, after receiving so many favors in their native land, left it to go and enrich the foreigner, while their own country’s resources were undeveloped for the want of their sturdy sinews. “Any subject,” he would say, “who willingly leaves the benevolent shadow of the British flag, proves a loss to the country and an evil to the subject.” Before undertaking to build a railroad, however, colonization roads must be built, the country must be opened; so he turned his attention to the roads at once. Public men know what it costs to obtain favors from a government which, in spite of its patriotism and good-will, is often-times hampered in the distribution of its favors. The influences of the southern part of the province, which set up the plea that they had not obtained enough at the hands of the government, tempered the generous impulses of the ministers. To this Father Labelle offered a strong argument: “The south has received a great deal, the north almost nothing; when the south receives, the north derives no benefit; whilst, when the north is prosperous, the overflow of its wealth benefits the south.” He begged and supplicated, but was repulsed. Nothing daunted, he kept asking. “I wish you would send your curé to his parishioners,” a minister said one day to the member for Terrebonne. “You can do that yourself,” said the latter; “if he annoys you, give him what he asks, otherwise you will never get rid of him.” After months of waiting and innumerable requests, the ministry acquiesced to the just demands of the north, and granted subsidies according to the means at the disposal of the government. Let us say right here that the zeal of Father Labelle was vigorously seconded by the Hon. Mr. Chapleau, who has always done all he could in the interest of his constituents, and also by the Hon. Mr. Masson, the late lieutenant-governor of the Province of Quebec, and the then representative of the county in the House of Commons. The zealous priest was also sustained by the successive administrations of the province, and by the sympathy and energy of the citizens of St. Jerome, among whom may be mentioned Messrs. Laviolette, M. J. B. Lefebvre-Villemure, Prévost, de Montigny, William Scott, J. A. Hervieux, and many others. The whole parish is in accord with its curé, for, in French Canada, when works of public utility are in view, political divisions are laid aside. The priests of the adjoining parishes also accorded a loyal and energetic support to Father Labelle. The principal work of this indefatigable man is certainly the railroad commenced under his auspices, known at first under the name of “Chemin à lisses de bois,” but laid to-day with steel rails. His matchless energy was displayed in its construction; and in the pursuit of this object he undertook struggles, voyages, writing, etc., the recital of which would be the recital of the stormy beginnings of two great railways which at the present day are the pride of the country. Father Labelle has always looked upon the “Colonization Railroad of the North” as part of the Canadian Pacific, and also took a great interest in the latter, which he considered as the artery destined to carry the wealth of the West, as well as the treasures of Japan and China, to our seaports through Canadian territory, favoring and feeding industry and commerce all along its immense length. He admired the plan of Sir George E. Cartier, and regretted the failure of Sir Hugh Allan, through the intrigues of his opponents, in his attempt to float the loan necessary to its construction. He foresaw, in the construction of the Pacific Railway, a powerful means of immigration, and calculated that in ten years, the indirect contributions paid by the new settlers into the Federal treasury, and the increase in value of the North-West lands, would pay the largest portion of the debt contracted for the undertaking. It is needless to add that his predictions were correct, as it has been amply proved since. His appreciation of the advantages and disadvantages offered by the diverse routes proposed, reveal the foresight of a true statesman. He worked also in the interest of the North Shore road, and helped it by his writings, visits and timely interference at critical periods. But his favorite road has always been the Colonization road. He is called its father, and he cannot possibly disclaim his offspring. He said one time, on the occasion of a visit paid him by the members of the Montreal press, that such children were the only ones the members of his calling were allowed to beget. At the same time he thanked the newspapers for the tender care they had exercised in nursing and clothing his child. If doubts existed on any one’s mind as to the important share of glory accruing to Father Labelle on account of this work, the following extracts which were communicated to us by an indiscreet friend of the curé of St. Jerome, would be sufficient to dissipate them. Sir Hugh Allan wrote him on the 25th July, 1883: —
My dear Father Labelle,—You have been happy to hear, I am sure, that the contract for the construction of the Colonization railroad has at last been signed. This result is in a great measure due to your industry and increasing efforts, and if there is a man who ought to reap any glory from the completion of this work, that man is yourself.
The Hon. Mr. Abbott wrote from London, under date May 5, 1873: —
It is to be regretted that your holy office should prevent you from occupying in the enterprise the position to which your efforts and influence entitle you. I know, however, that the satisfaction of having accomplished a good work on behalf of your countrymen will reward you sufficiently, from your own standpoint, for the important help you have given us from the beginning.
To-day the road is completed, and whoever is entitled to merit should receive it. Everyone knows that in consequence of unforeseen difficulties the future of the road was threatened even after the work had been undertaken. Father Labelle had arranged to get one million dollars voted by the city of Montreal, and he induced the ministry of the province to take the road under its control and to complete it. It is also said that the idea of getting the “Grand Trunk of the North” built by the government originated with him. The part he had taken in these events was recognized in a measure by the commissioners who named one of the first engines placed on the line, “Rev. A. Labelle.” On the fiftieth anniversary of Father Labelle’s birthday, at a dinner given at St. Jerome, on the 29th November, 1884, were gathered together ministers, journalists, members of parliament, aldermen and representative men from all parts of the province, and all with common accord applauded the work he had done. And we may say here that the tact he displayed in the circumstance justified what had been said of him on a previous occasion by a citizen distinguished among his English and Protestant brethren: “Father Labelle,” he said, “should be prime minister of Canada instead of curé of St. Jerome.” The following is an extract of a speech delivered on that eventful occasion: —
Father Labelle to-day can look back on thirty years of feverish and unceasing activity; thirty years of courageous and plodding energy; his career has been stormy rather than peaceful, and has already borne more abundant fruit than many ordinary existences. His physical health is good, but requires a rest which the will instinctively refuses on account of this fever of labor and activity which unceasingly devours and consumes. The mind is ever vigorous and keenly perceptive, while the intellect and judgment have ripened under the influence of work and time, and to-day the results are most abundant and precious. The nature of our good curé is so full of vigor and exuberance that in his fiftieth year he spreads movement, activity and life everywhere around him; his character is so essentially expansive that his ideas, his projects, his hopes, so clearly elucidated, pervade those who come in contact with him. He carries so much conviction that one must needs yield to him. Is it astonishing that he should have wielded, in all spheres, an influence often dominating and decisive? The grandeur of conception, the vigor displayed in the execution of the most difficult enterprises, his proverbial disinterestedness, his sound judgment constantly seconded by deep and varied studies, an astonishing memory, a character bending itself to the most dissimilar circumstances, unassailable honesty of purpose, an openness of heart which has always proved to him the best of policies, are certainly, among others, enough qualities to make him, perhaps, the most popular and most enlightened man of our country. His influence has been felt everywhere. His counsels have ever been wise and cautious. His practical mind was never embarrassed by the most difficult problems of theology or social and political economy. His courage has ever been undaunted, either before obstacles or adversaries, and his honesty has never flinched or given way to the wiles of a corrupt world. The holy robes he wears have never been soiled, and at the present time they are as immaculate as on the day the young Levite donned them to devote himself to the service of the Divine Master. As the drop of water, slowly and patiently wending its way through the obstacles which men and accidents may throw on its passage; as the impetuous torrent upsetting all obstacles in its mad race, Father Labelle has succeeded in all his enterprises; but then these enterprises were great, they were national, they were undertaken in the interest of religion and for the welfare of the country, and only those who were traitors to their religion and their country were opposed to their execution. Is it to be wondered at, under such conditions, that he was enabled to occupy the most difficult positions and master fortresses, until his advent thought impregnable? He was never known, however, to soil his hands with the booty of the vanquished, to take a share of the spoils of the victor, or impose hard and unjust conditions under the assumption that might is right. He never exalted his victories over the weakness of those he disarmed. He always looked forward to the triumph of truth and justice and the greatness of our country; not to the humiliation of men and the abasement of character. Richelieu once said: ‘I never undertake anything without mature reflection; but my resolution once taken, I go straight to the end I have in view; I break all obstacles and I cover the whole with my purple robe.’ In his case the prince of the church gave way to the statesman. In the latter respect, it was not Richelieu who was the model of Father Labelle. But let us change the scene; we will transport ourselves to a more genial climate, far from the tainted atmosphere of the court of Louis XIII., far from the bloody fields of battle, of murder and assassination, where Richelieu had to play his rôle of statesman, and we will find, from the Canadian standpoint, a great similarity of character and works between the great French minister and the humble Canadian priest who, in the course of a few years, will change the face of a considerable portion of this province. The former contributed in large measure to the foundation of the colony; the latter, when his colonization scheme will be realized in all the grandeur of its conception, will have doubled the value, the wealth, the power of our province; both will have had the same energy and the same courage; on a different theatre, they will have obtained wonderful success. Let me add that the life of Father Labelle is an illustrious example to those who aim at being true patriots: to serve God and country. He is one of the most accomplished types of that hardy Franco-Canadian race which is called upon to accomplish grand and noble deeds, provided its descendants remember the history of its origin, its struggles and its triumphs; and rise to the height of the mission assigned them by Providence. To attain that end they must set aside the cruel broils of politics, the rancour of partyism we witness to-day, and they must work together for the common good of our common country, and, following the example of the beloved pastor, take as a motto: ‘Energy, faith in God, and hope in the future.’ The true Franco-Canadian race, the French-Catholic race, has become incarnate in the large heart of Father Labelle, and even to-day a monument might be raised to him bearing the inscription dedicated to the heroes of all times and all climes: ‘To Father Labelle, a tribute of love from a grateful country.’
Father Labelle’s winning affability is proverbial, and in the midst of his enormous labors he always finds a moment to speak on any subject that might be of interest to his listeners. Ever ready to help the humblest of his parishioners, his generosity often oversteps the limit of his means, for he has not the leisure to figure up his fortune. The following incident is an example of his charity, which we publish at the risk of raising his ire: During a very severe winter the price of cordwood had risen in the city of Montreal to the fabulous figure of $20 a cord, owing to a “combine” of men who would have been insulted had anyone dared to assert that they were not honest. Father Labelle called on his parishioners, in the name of charity, to help the poor of Montreal in their sore need of fuel, and the result was that an immense procession of sleds loaded with cordwood, the good curé leading, was seen wending its way from St. Jerome to Montreal (a distance of thirty-three miles), and there distributed to the most needy and deserving poor of the city. This generous action was repeated the following winter. Besides his railroad undertakings, Father Labelle has been the means of a college being built in St. Jerome; a three-story brick building, having a frontage of eighty feet, with a lateral chapel, where the youth of the surrounding district receive a commercial, agricultural, and religious education under the direction of the Rev. Fathers of the Holy Cross. As soon as the railroad was completed to St. Jerome, Father Labelle undertook to supply the necessary traffic. He is convinced that the Laurentian range contains considerable mineral wealth, and geological reports prove his assertions. With the view of working and developing these mines, he immediately applied at every door to raise the necessary capital. His parishioners subscribed a few thousand dollars; but the resources are so slender, and the expenses so heavy to start on a solid basis, that he must receive more substantial help. It may be said, by the way, that minerals being one of the greatest sources of wealth of a country, there is no reason why the government should not give grants to the energetic men who undertake to search for those treasures in a practical manner. His many and varied occupations do not interfere with the exemplary regularity of the exercise of his holy ministry. His sermons are always remarkable for their characteristic clearness and practical common sense. Thoroughly orthodox, he never deviates from the strict doctrines of his church, which he believes accords with progress; as a result, in his parish, church and state go hand-in-hand, to the satisfaction of all parties. Far from feeling any pride in his successes, he makes them subservient to the glory of God, the primary cause and author of all greatness. The theological lore of Father Labelle is very profound, and he has had many occasions to elucidate very intricate questions. His lordship, Bishop Duhamel, honored him with his confidence, and delegated to him a part of his power for the purpose of erecting canonical parishes in the southern part of his diocese. Right Rev. Mgr. Conroy, delegated by the Holy See to adjust certain differences which had arisen in Canada in connection with the establishment of the branch of Laval University, at Montreal, wrote the following letter to Father Labelle, on the 19th March, 1877: “I reckon on your great and well-deserved influence. I shall always be glad to see you, and I shall do my best to meet your wishes as far as I possibly can do so.” After the decision of the Holy See in favor of Laval, Father Labelle was one of the most energetic workers, and did no small amount of work in connection with the establishment of the branch university in Montreal. The late Bishop Bourget was ably seconded by Father Labelle in the erection, for civil purposes, of the new parishes of Montreal. After the Guibord case had been settled, a bill was passed to prevent the recurrence of such difficulties and to meet the views of her Majesty, Queen Victoria, as intimated by her to Lord Dufferin; Father Labelle was entrusted with the drawing up of the bill. He was also instrumental, and did more than his share of the work, both here and at Rome, to obtain the division of the ecclesiastical provinces of Montreal and Ottawa. Since 1883, he has been sent to France by the Federal government for the purpose of making our country better known in Europe and promoting more extended commercial relations. At the present time (1887), he is engaged on the extension of the Montreal and Western Railway to Lake Temiscamingue, and there are already seventy miles under contract. He is also interested in a new cattle ranch at Wood Mountain, near Regina, N.W.T., etc. We cannot conclude this imperfect sketch without mentioning the charming bonhomie which in Father Labelle’s case, takes the place of the most refined courteousness. When his wine cellar is empty, his smoking-room is abundantly supplied, and in either case he receives the most illustrious men of the country with the greatest ease. Let us add that his venerable mother, who presides over the internal administration of his household, contributes, by her politeness and kind attentions, to make the presbytery of St. Jerome the most popular resort of the surrounding parishes. The priests of the neighborhood and the notable men of the province frequently visit the worthy pastor when in need of information, or in quest of rest and relaxation from their onerous duties.
Hale, Frederick Harding, Lumber Merchant, Woodstock, M.P. for Carleton, New Brunswick, was born at Northampton, in the county of Carleton, N.B., on the 8th December, 1844. His father, Martin Hale, was born in Ireland, and came to Canada, when a child, with his parents. His mother was Hulda Dickinson, daughter of Harding Dickinson, a U. E. loyalist. Mr. Hale received his education in the schools in Carleton county; and afterwards turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, and for the last twenty-five years has been heavily engaged in the manufacture and sale of all kinds of lumber at Northampton and Woodstock. A few years ago he entered the political arena, and at the general election held in the spring of 1887 was elected to represent the county of Carleton in the Dominion parliament at Ottawa. Mr. Hale is a director of the St. John Valley Railway. He takes an interest in Masonry, and is a member of the Woodstock lodge; and also a member of the Woodstock Royal Arch Chapter. In politics he is a Liberal; and in religion an adherent of the Free Baptist church. Mr. Hale has been twice married. On the 20th June, 1869, to Rhoda, daughter of the late George McGee; she died on the 16th June, 1870. And on the 17th June, 1873, to Emma E., daughter of Moses Boyer.